A Northampton County ice cream shop known for both its homemade pierogi and scoops is preparing to close for good.
Blue Moo Ice Cream Shop & More, 2693 Community Drive in Moore Township, plans to close permanently on Aug. 31. Married co-owners Brian and Michelle Crocefoglia of the Nazareth area and the employees known as the “Moo Crew” made the announcement to loyal customers on the business’s Facebook page Wednesday.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce our LAST weeks of operation. Blue Moo will soon be permanently closed… We want to thank you for your continued support over the years and hope to see you all one more time before we say goodbye,” the post reads, with a heart emoji.
Blue Moo plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on August 31. All of the store’s popular flavors will be available while supplies last, owners said.
The business has been in business since 2015. The Crocefoglias posted on Facebook in February that they planned to retire once they reached the milestone of 10 summer seasons in business. The business, they posted at the time, would be put up for sale.
“After serving our community with passion and dedication for nearly a decade, we have made the bittersweet decision to sell Blue Moo. This decision was not easy for us as we cherish the memories and connections we have built with each and every one of you over the years,” the couple posted.
“While we are sad to say goodbye to the restaurant that was a labor of love for us, we are also excited as we begin a new chapter in our lives – retirement. This decision comes with mixed emotions as we say goodbye to the day-to-day stress of the restaurant business, but we look forward to the adventures and relaxation that retirement promises.”
It is unclear what will happen to the business or whether anyone has purchased the property. The owners did not immediately respond to a request for information Thursday afternoon.
WFMZ-69 News reported that the shop’s ice cream was always sourced from Longacre’s Modern Dairy in Barto, Berks County. The popular pierogi were handmade using a family recipe by Brian Crocefoglia, the report said.
In addition to offering hard and soft ice cream, Blue Moo was also known for its steak and chicken sandwiches, flatbreads, subs, burgers and hot dogs, and homemade soups. There were more than a dozen traditional and specially seasoned pierogi, either deep-fried or sautéed with onions and butter. There were also shakes, sundaes and homemade cakes.
Other menu items were a nod to the couple’s Italian and Polish roots and were offered year-round. The owners have enjoyed providing “homemade food and tasty treats” to the local community over the years, according to Blue Moo’s website.
As of 1 p.m. Thursday, the farewell post on Facebook had received more than 430 reactions, 77 comments and 85 shares. Most posters shared memories of the store and wished the owners well in their future endeavors. Others planned to treat themselves to one last treat before the store closed.
Until August 31, Blue Moo’s hours are Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. According to the Facebook page, the store has always been closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann can be reached at [email protected].
